Today’s post is for people who like Rap. Period. That’s it. You like bars? You like flows? You like lyrics that make you go ooooh? Then this is for you. If you said no to any of these questions, leave now.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to post this ish yesterday exactly one minute after it was posted! Unfortunately my code-illiterate ass just couldn’t get it to embed. Thankfully, as expected, someone Youtube‘d it and we’re back in business.

THE CYPHER

Yesterday the annual shamefest known as the BET hip-hop awards took place and well, as expected, it was a useless piece of goonery crap that only helped to ensure that those who don’t like hip-hop stay hating. That being said, this award show has provided us with 1 good thing every year and it’s those damn (Rap nerd wet dreams – ‘What if…’) Cyphers. Last years dopest cypher featured Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Ace Hood (Who surprisingly rocked it even though he can’t write a song worth his life) and Jadakiss running a mean anchor. Well, I’m happy to say that this years top cypher nearly made me wet myself. And if it doesn’t make you at least kegal a couple dozen times, then you lied about one of the above questions.

No more talkin. RAP! This one’s gonna have people arguin for a while….

The other 2 cyphers (that were decent, but nowhere near the one above) can be found below:

It seems like the thing to do these days for rappers in their mid-30’s is to find another rapper in their mid-30’s who roughly holds the same stature and combine to make a group. Canibus and Keith Murray. Del the Funky Homosapien and Tame One.DJ Quik and Kurupt. And even though it would seem like all of these would be dope, or at very least entertaining, only the Quik and Kurupt really popped for me (and I’m a Del fan to the core). Well we have another pairing for you and this time, it might just work out. 2 people that have influenced a LOT of your favorite rappers but rarely ever get their mention, ladies and gents, I give you A & E (a.k.a. Masta Ace and Edo G.)

**sidenote — for all you Eminem fans, if you didn’t realize that Em started as a Masta Ace clone you better go do your research. Em’s even copped to it himself.**

MASTA ACE & EDO. G – EI8HT IS ENOUGH

BLAKROC EPISODE #2 ft. Mos Def

We proceed with part 2. Mos hits the studio and the world implodes.

HIP HOP HISTORY w/ RAKIM

An interview 24/7 Hip Hop did with the Teflon Don breaking down the significance of the number 7 in his life, his falling out with Eric B., and a wild story involving Kool G. Rap getting snuffed and Eric B. riding a sheep skin.

BONUS

No MPFrees? Now how could I do that to you. This one’s for the CAPtain to get his blood pumpin.

NEW MADVILLAIN B*TCHES! Courtesy the legendary J-Rocc from the World Famous Beat Junkies.

And I know this is generally your day of rest….but I just couldn’t wait another day to give you this sneak peek.

You know how as a kid you used to make up fantasy posse cuts? Like I know in my circle we’d come up with combinations like Pharoahe Monch, Del and Big Boi, or Black Thought, Aesop Rock and Kurupt. Y’know, ish like that. Hell, N.E.R.D. actually did one of mine when they put together De La, Q-Tip, Mos and Common for their She Wants to Move remix. Well….how bout this one.

And to continue with the theme, Raekwon just released video version #2 of the New Wu track featuring Meth and Ghost. I’m not sure why he did another version cause Ghost isn’t even in it, plus the RZA cameo (as well as a ton of others) isn’t there. Instead they grabbed cameos from cats like Teyana Taylor? Oh well….the tune’s still heavy.

Finally, on a completely unrelated note…..courtesy the homie Rewind from The Intelligentlemen….

If you heard these before then you are TRULY a 12″ master (and I ain’t talkin John Holmes – Hiyoooooooooo — yes I went there. Deal with it.) I’m not sure who originally posted this, but I got it from the good folks at Soul Sides.

Word. We bring you another Ol’ Heads Thursday Edition and I’d like to kick this Thursday off with a lil’ tribute to Xtra P aka The Large Professor. He is well known for his work with Main Source, ‘discovering’ Nas, and for filtering basslines on the Emu SP-1200. He worked with talent like ATCQ, Kool G Rap and DJ Polo, AZ, and Boot Camp Clik just to name a few.

Here is “ijustwannachill” for your audiovisual enjoyment:

Good work Xtra P. Another tasty joint courtesy of Pete Rock, Kool G Rap, and Large Pro.

No no…you don’t understand….I LOVE IT. To the core of my soul…it’s something I’ve thought about every single day of my life for the past 10 years and well, it hasn’t waned in the least.

Now let me clarify something, as a person I’m not one of those guys who tries to be as ‘hip-hop’ as can be. Everything I wear isn’t rap related, everything I say isn’t Brooklyn slang, and everything I do isn’t to ‘Keep REAL Hip Hop Alive’. As an artist, I don’t write songs FOR Hip-Hop or about my LOVE for Hip-Hop, I don’t engage the crowd in “When I say HIP, You say HOP” chants and I don’t say ‘Real Talk’ to finish all my sentences. In fact, all the reviews I’ve had and Interviews I’ve done usually start with: “This is not your ‘Traditional’ Hip-Hop’….

No I’m not. But I FUCKING LOVE IT.

It’s throwback Thursdays, and I’m giving you a golden WINZIP file from ’88 (link at the bottom). When you listen to these songs, remember….Tomorrow is the day…
and you better fucking be there….for Hip-Hop. HA!

Here’re videos of 6 songs you get in this 8-song package. The other 2 are classics from the Jungle Brothers and Chill Rob G. Enjoy.

(disclaimer – There is SO MUCH dope from 88, that this’ll probably only be PART 1….stay tuned)